shank

noun

ˈshaŋk How to pronounce shank (audio)
Definition of shanknext
slang
as in knife
an instrument with a metal length that has a sharp edge for cutting slashed at the prison guard with a shank he had secretly made from a scrap of metal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shank Mordecai If your dad loves baseball, take him to the bistro across from Wrigley Field for beef Wellington ($55), a lamb shank ($45) and an Old-Fashioned ($18). — Samantha Nelson, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026 The Cook County Sheriff's office said Medina was caught with a shank in jail last week. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 June 2026 Those charges may also be upgraded as authorities say he was caught in jail with a six-inch shank. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026 The Phase Evo includes a high-density comfort collar and a TPU shank for midfoot stability. — Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for shank
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shank
  1. knife
  2. cutter
Noun
  • Florida chef Elijah Button was chopping onions in June when his knife slipped and sliced his middle finger to the bone.
    — Ali Swenson, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Less than five minutes into the ride, Brown allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed her multiple times, including in the neck.
    — Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of knife
Noun
  • Bradley left a 1-2 cutter up to Cortes in the second inning that the outfielder hit for a two-run home run.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Using clean hands or a pastry cutter, mash until the butter is fully incorporated and the mixture is coarse and crumbly.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of cutter

Browse Nearby Words

Shangri-las
shank
shanks
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shank.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shank. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All